David Oyedepo: Feet-washing, Holy Communion, Anointing and other issues
This article is my response to the following request submitted by a reader:
Im concerned about the whole feet-washing thing,seeing that i was brought up to believe that feet-washing connects one to the priests and the commissions, a connection to prosperity, health e.t.c. also i need us to shed more light on the Holy communion and the Anointing.
Feet-washing was a common hygienic practice in the Middle East (it still may be). Being a highly dusty and arid land, and with people only having the equivalent of foot slippers to wear, servants were employed to wash the feet of their masters and their masters’ guests when they came in from any outdoor activity.
Foot-washing was a menial task reserved for the lowest of the low. In John chapter 13, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to pass across a message. After he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, He said to them:
Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15)
What did Jesus say He did? He gave them an example of how those who are leaders are to be servants. It is the same thing He was saying in another passage:
Mar 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
How Mr. David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel could read that passage where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and conclude that God instituted feet-washing as a religious ceremony, as a means of connecting to the preisthood, and a means of miracles and breakthroughs and the sort baffles me.
But then many things baffle me about that man. His complete ignorance of the first principles of the Bible baffles me. His penchant for using a lot of high-sounding words without saying anything baffles me. His irreverence for Divine things baffles me. That educated people follow a man so ignorant baffles me.
Consider a man who when challenged about how he has turned ministry into business replies with an idiocy like, “It was Jesus Himself who said that He must be about the Father’s business. We didn’t turn Church into a business. The Master Himself did“. Those are words from the mouth of a Biblically illiterate person, if ever there was one. Here’s the story:
Luk 2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luk 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luk 2:44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
Luk 2:45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Luk 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
Luk 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Even a 10-year old who has been taught proper English language knows that the usage of the word “business” in that context does not refer to running a commercial undertaking.
It is with similar impunity and irreverence that he has twisted the doctrine of Holy Communion. The Lord’s Supper is nothing more than a commemoration, a reminder of what our Lord did for us and of His soon return. But pigs take pearls and trample on them.
1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
The man at Otta (and others like Mr. Samson Ayorinde) have desecrated this sacred symbol, and turned it into another marketing gimmick. They promise the people miracles, healing and the sort just by taking the Lord’s Supper. Amazing. Simply amazing!
Mr. Oyedepo held up a bottle full of olive oil and proclaimed, “This is the Holy Spirit in a bottle“! Has anyone heard such mockery of Divinity come out of the mouth of a man who claims to represent the Lord?
Brothers and sisters, there is no Holy Spirit in any bottle. The Holy Spirit is not an Arabian genie, waiting to be unleashed. What tomfoolery. This man and others who preach this nonsense departed from the faith long ago (if ever they were part of us in the first place). They call this the “anointing”. No; it isn’t. It is foolishness.
These men mix blackcurrant and water and call it the “Blood” of Christ. Then they urge ignorant souls to drink, sprinkle, and cook with this mock “Blood”. Are these men mad or are they just court jesters?
Brothers and sisters, there is nothing to be confused about. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is really very simple, but certain men crept in long ago to cast a cloak on the light of this glorious Gospel.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will repeat it again, the mystery that was hidden in the times of the prophets under the Old Covenant has been revealed in Christ to His apostles and they made it plain in their writings (See: The Mysteries of the Kingdom). When a mere man like David Oyedepo claims to have a revelation of a mystery or of the hidden widsdom of God, he is attempting to play a fast one on you. The apostles already revealed the mystery thousands of years ago. He is an impostor preying on men’s ignorance.
Am I picking on Mr. Oyedepo? No; but for the reason that he is the driving force behind these errors in these parts, he is largely responsible for the thousands of pastors and millions of followers caught in these twisted doctrines and practices.
If Peter, Paul, James and John did not teach a thing, that very thing is a lie and the man who teaches it in the name of the Gospel is a liar. See what Paul says about teachings different from what himself and the other apostles taught:
Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences [by teaching things] contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned [from us]; and avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Come, Lord Jesus!
